Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: On benefit fraud

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  • andin, in reply to Sacha,

    Metiria Turei

    She comes across as genuine, more so than the likes S Joyce, W Peters or P Bennett

    raglan • Since Mar 2007 • 1891 posts Report Reply

  • Katharine Moody, in reply to Sacha,

    rapid redacting

    Fascinating, the media minders sped into action. Any recollection of what was redacted?

    Wellington • Since Sep 2014 • 798 posts Report Reply

  • st ephen,

    "Metiria Turei campaigned for political parties but didn't work while lying to Winz"

    Perhaps it was just the clickbait headline, but the comments below this Stuff article seem like a coordinated up-voting campaign in action. Troops mobilised for the election campaign - on one side at least.

    dunedin • Since Jul 2008 • 254 posts Report Reply

  • simon g, in reply to st ephen,

    "It's now been revealed ... " says Stuff.

    Shame on Turei, keeping her election candidacy secret. From everyone except ... well, everyone.

    Investigative journalism at its finest. Next Stuff scoop: Andrew Little confesses to union activism. Why weren't we told?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming, in reply to st ephen,

    Perhaps it was just the clickbait headline, but the comments below this Stuff article seem like a coordinated up-voting campaign in action. Troops mobilised for the election campaign - on one side at least.

    There are no comments on the post now.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming,

    FTA

    Prime Minister Bill English said he disagreed with politicians "essentially advocating breaking the law".

    I don't think admitting you've done something is advocating for others to do it. Recognising that people are forced into such situations is not endorsement. And, if this is honestly Bill's view, why is he so reticent about Todd Barclay? Or his attempt to bury the illegal surveillance of Dotcom? Hypocrit.

    "Of course people make mistakes, they inadvertently break the law, they do it under pressure. It's the job of the police and then the justice system to take account of those circumstances because life's a bit messy, it's not always black and white."

    No shit, Sherlock

    "But Ms Turei just seems to be getting a bit disconnected from the normal assumptions we make that people should keep the law and if they don't like the law they set out to change it," he said.

    No. She admits that she broke the law, she's prepared to make reparations if required, she spoke up voluntarily without someone else going to the media to raise the issue, then lying about it until forced to concede that you had actually acted illegally, then dunning the public for 10s of thousands of dollars because it would be inconvenient for your party if your vote was to disappear. If we weigh what 23 year-old Metiria did against what 23 year-old Todd did, then Toddy-boy's illegality is costing the taxpayer a hell of a lot more.

    Social Development Minister Anne Tolley said members of Parliament had "certain obligations" and while there's laws people don't agree with it doesn't mean people "shouldn't abide by those laws

    I look forward to Tolley requesting that the Speaker bar Barclay from the Chamber #tui . Also, Metiria Turei was not a member of Parliament when the offense occured; Todd Barclay very much was.

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Neil,

    It’s very tough on a benefit and I have a great deal of sympathy and respect for those who don’t have much education, have chaotic lives and don’t have the out of a legal professional future but still maintain honest relations with people.

    Since Nov 2016 • 382 posts Report Reply

  • Neil,

    It was Little's skepticism of the political wisdom of Turei's actions that contributed to his downfall. Ironic that he may be proved right.

    Since Nov 2016 • 382 posts Report Reply

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